Twice a year high in the Himalayan foothills of central Nepal teams of men gather around cliffs that are home to the world's largest honeybee, Apis laboriosa. As they have for generations, the men come to harvest the Himalayan cliff bee's honey. The harvest ritual, which varies slightly from community to community, begins with a prayer and sacrifice of flowers, fruits, and rice. Then a fire is lit at the base of the cliff to smoke the bees from their honeycombs. From above, a honey hunter descends the cliff harnessed to a ladder by ropes. As his mates secure the rope and ladder from the top and ferry tools up down as required, the honey hunter fights territorial bees as he cuts out chunks of honey from the comb." A chance to view and experience the traditional honey hunting harvest of the Gurung people. The Bees Apis laboriosa and Apis dorsata are indigenous to the region and traditional methods of harvesting the honey on steep cliffs have remaned unchanged for generations.
The introduction of non indigenous plant species and the Eurporean honey bee Apis mellifera have put pressure on these local bees to compete, and they need to fly further and further to forage their prefered plant species. This along with over harvesting has resulted in the bees' decline. The Himalayan Honeybees project for the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Kathmandu has been actively involved in the sustainable management of honey hunting and work with the local communities to ensure the survival of the species.Tourism in this area helps communities protect the flora and fauna, and so gives the bees and local hunters a chance to co-exist and continue. TheBlueSpace will donate a percentage of profits from these trips to local communities who are actively involved and promoting ICIMOD ideas. There are great views of peaks Lamjung Himal, Manaslu, Hiunchuli, Buddha Himal and Annapurna II
Itinerary 01
Day 1 Drive from Kathmandu to Khudi which takes 3 hours. You drive along the Prithvi highway across beautiful villages, local people, and landscapes and all the way you drive along the river valley. The tour to Buddha Monasteries and Khudi Bazaar with bring you lot of opportunities to study more about the local culture.
Day 2 Today you trek for six to seven hours for Honey Hunting site. On the way, you view many natural scenes n the way. You would receive hearty welcome by villagers and can enjoy Gurung culture dances after dinner.
Day 3 The day is to enjoy few hours walk for honey hunting site. Honey hunter pray before they start. You can view the Heart Thrilling Honey hunting program at Cliff. After you enjoy honey hunting program, return back base camp village. In the evening, you will spend few moments enjoying culture dances of mother union.
Day 4 Trek to Khudi which takes six to seven hours. You can enjoy swimming at Natural swimming pool. You go evening walk at Bank of the Marshyangdi River and Khudi stream. You can enjoy slide show program about Namun La pass, Kanchenjunga, Chitwan National Park and many more.
Itinerary 02
Day 1 Drive from Kathmandu to Khudi 186KM, 6 hrs. You drive along the Prithivi highway across beautiful villages, colorful peoples, landscapes, all the you drive along the River Valley.
Day 2 Trek from Khudi To Ghalagaun which takes about 6-7hrs trek. After breakfast the trail ascend all the way to Ghalagaun, The trail passes through the beautiful forest, if you are lucky enough you will also get to see some of the wildlife's. This area holds a tremendous potentiality for bird watching. It really can be a birdwatcher's paradise.
Day 3 & 4 Observe Honey Hunting In Ghanpokhari & Ghalegaun. It is beautiful place to enjoy breathtaking views of numerous Mountains, it self situated at beautiful mountain, it is populated by Gurung Peoples who have wonderful culture & tradition.
Day 5 Trek from Ghalegaun to Pasgaun, which takes about 6-7 hrs. After After breakfast your trail descend to Bhujung all the way, After the Bhujung trail ascend to Passgaun.It is long & Hard day trip.
Day 6 Trek from Pasagaun to Pakharikot Or Nanngdidhar which takes about 5-6hrs. Trail ascends gently through jungles, beautiful waterfalls and the chirpings of the birds. After lunch, it again is a time for an as descends. It is a steep descend for hal fan hrs; one has to ensure that one carries enough water as there is shortage of drinking water. The intense heat, humidity and the direct sunlight striking can really be unbearable.
Day 7 Trek to Thumsikot, and then drive to Pokhara. Trail descends about 1150 meters and drives approximately 3 hrs by jeep through unpaved Road. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
Day 8 Sight in and around Pokhara and drive back to Kathmandu. An early morning drive to Sarankot to have close view of Mt. Fishtail and Annapurna. Sight seeing in and around Pokhara city, in the afternoon drive or fly back to Kathmandu. |
